thagreen, I think your having a problem with reading comprehension. I said that , IF PEOPLE REFUSE MY HELP OR SUGGESTIONS THEN I AM NOT THEIR MOTHER AND THEY CAN DO AS THEY SEE FIT. I NEVER SAID THAT I POUR WALLS THAT ARE UNSAFE READ THE POST AGAIN. WHERE IT SAYS ANTHING ABOUT REBAR OR UNSAFE WALLS I HAVE YET TO FIND IT. PLEASE SHOW ME IN THE THREE SENTENCES I WROTE.

"but if someone wants to buy block from me and does not accept the help that I offer, so be it"

WELL THEN DO ELABORATE ON WHAT THIS MEENS SINCE THERE AIN'T MUCH MORE THAN REBAR , CONCRETE, JOINT ,PLUMB IN AN ICF!!

ADVICE

Here is the crux imho.

Some suppliers will sell to anybody to make a sale...even though the buyers are not certified or experienced.

These types will cause, and are causing the ICF industry's reputation irreparable harm.

Locally, there is a condemned ICF home 10 miles from me, installed by an incompetant, supplied direct by the manufacturer.


With Engineered systems such as ICF's there is a "Duty of Care" by those who promote, sell, and manufacture, is there not ?

Eric,
Thank You! Exacly my point!

This industry started out as a DIY industry, but the result was no standards and a lot of bad installs.The horror stories that came out of that beginning are still a huge obstacle to this day. The industry should STOP promoting this as a DIY business. We talk with big commercial contractors every week that start out laughing at the very idea of using ICFs on a commercial project because of all the horror stories they have heard and the bad product they have seen. Polycrete in the USA does not sell to DIY-ers. We sell only through installers, and most of them are experienced concrete contractors who do all of the concrete work on the project, flat and vertical. This is a free country, so you can sell to whomever you like, but there's my not-so-humble opinion...

Henry I have completed my first ICF home and spent quite a bit of time investigating the different systems available to me , I purchased the bracing system and highly recommend the use of one, I purchased as I have been building spec homes mostly and will have repeated use of the system as well as hopefully getting some contracts for other builds I wanted to be very familiar with the entire process so other than the pour I assembled the whole house myself. Ill list the manufacturers I contacted and my reason for not using (price was not a concern as I didnt go with the cheapest) Reward- I didnt like the fact that the inside of the forms were smooth, It was suggested to me , and I think it makes sense that should some seperation of the concrete and eps take place moisture and consequently mould can occur Fox Block- would not return emails nor phone calls Build Block - returned phone call/ email 2 months later Quad lock- Far too labour intensive , must pay extra for full lenghth fastening strips Green Block - I felt the ties every 6 inches while being very strong would impede concrete flow Logix- almost went with this block but heard from other crew that they would only hand rod opposed to vibrate as the block would lift from hydraulic pressure/action, also freight was more expensive than fold down block TF- poor response from manufacturer and rep I ended up choosing NUDURA for the following reasons 1- Knock down 2- Reversable 3- No or low compression 4- Positive locking interlock ratchet thingy 5- Excellent manufacturer and rep support Having said all this Im a firm believer that if you closely follow the instructions of any block manufacturer you will have a good ICF home This i believe is the key,to achieving a project that is plumb, level and square attention to detail , following instructions, not trying to get it all done yesterday, and a good bracing system and rotary self leveling laser, My 2 cents Peter